That's how people described David R. Short II, a 26-year-old Indianapolis Fire Department recruit who was killed in a car crash on Friday.

"He was good from his core out," said Short's mother, Teresa. "He never judged people, he loved them. He never met a stranger, he was always willing to help people."

David Short, a 26-year-old Indianapolis firefighter recruit, was killed in a car accident April 19, 2019.(Photo: Provided by the Indianapolis Fire Department)

Dozens gathered Monday evening at Jockamo Upper Crust Pizza in Irvington, where Short had previously worked, to celebrate the young man's life. Neighbors, friends, co-workers and family members all described Short as a genuine person who cared about everyone he met.

“(He was) the brightest star in the sky," said Short's father, who also is named David. "Everybody loved him. I'm hugging people I’ve never seen in my life. So many people loved my son I didn’t even know about."

The firefighter recruit died after a four-vehicle crash at around 6:30 p.m. Friday near Indianapolis Regional Airport in Hancock County. He and his girlfriend were traveling northbound on Mt. Comfort Road, near Airport Boulevard, when two trucks collided in front of them. One of the trucks in that crash then entered Short's path, and their vehicles collided head-on, according to IFD.

That crash sent both vehicles off the road and caused Short's vehicle to roll over. Short was taken to IU Health Methodist Hospital, where he died. His girlfriend suffered minor injuries.

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A photo of David R. Short II was on display at Jockamo Upper Crust Pizza location in Irvington, where a memorial event was held in his honor on Monday, July 22, 2019. Short, an Indianapolis Fire Department recruit died Friday night in a head-on crash in Hancock County.(Photo: Crystal Hill/IndyStar)

Short was a Scecina Memorial High School graduate, and he worked at Jockamo before joining IFD recruit class 84, according to IFD. He is survived by his parents, sister, brother and two half-siblings.

Joe Swan, general manager of the Jockamo location in Irvington, told IndyStar over the weekend that Short first came to Jockamo as a kitchen employee when he was 18 years old. On Monday, he wasn't surprised that the restaurant was packed with people.

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Dozens showed up at Jockamo Upper Crust Pizza in Irvington for the memorial in honor of David R. Short II on Monday, April 22, 2019. Short was a firefighter recruit who had worked at Jockamos.(Photo: Crystal Hill/IndyStar)

"He had such deep roots in the community and meant so much to so many people," Swan said at the event.

"Everybody's devastated," he said of the Jockamo staff. "But we have a job to do and we want to honor his memory and provide a place for people to come and really celebrate David."

An online fundraiser for Short's family exceeded its $500 goal as of 8 p.m. Monday, raising more than $17,000. The fundraiser was started by friends of his older sister. A GoFundMe spokesperson confirmed Saturday night that they are working with the campaign organizer to ensure the funds reach the family.